At my wit's end.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Danoodle009

Danoodle009

Member Since 2023
Good afternoon!

I am feeling incredibly frustrated with Pinky. I finally got into a good place with him - he was eating, drinking, acting normal, and his blood sugar is fully regulated even without insulin. I check it at least once a day to be sure it is staying that way, and as yet, it is.

However, I am having a bout of pickiness with him. We had him on Weruva LC pate, but he was starting to turn his nose up at it. We tried several different types, flavors, and brands that were LC, but he was incredibly picky. For the first couple days after a full switch, he would devour the food and I would finally feel okay. But then, he would go back to being picky; it's almost like he was just excited to eat anything but whatever it was I had been feeding him. Then, once he realized what it tasted like, he'd get picky again.

He had tried to break into his old dry food a couple of times, but I kept it out of his reach. He also tried to break into his sister's dry food, and would watch her eat through the gate/sit at the other side of the door. Out of desperation, I got the Young Again Dry cat food, and at first, everything was great. He'd eat everything he was supposed to, he was drinking enough water, and he was feeling good. The transition didn't even bother his stomach; he's not had any diarrhea since the switch. However, we are about day 7 into the new food, and he's showing his pickiness again. He started being picky at about day 5. I allow him to free graze, but unless I shove the food into his face, he won't eat it of his own accord. He's not showing any other signs of pain or stress; no pacing, no unusual vocalization, no litter box issues, no high blood sugar. He's grooming himself like normal. I checked his mouth to see if there were any loose teeth, and he didn't pull away. While I'm not a vet, I don't believe he's having any tooth pain. I just think he's being picky.

Yesterday, I tried withholding the food for a few hours at a rigid schedule. I let him at the food in a room by himself for 30 minutes, 4 times throughout the day. He'd eat a few pieces, but overall, wouldn't eat much. He ate his wet food fine yesterday, but now he's turning up his nose at that today.

I do have an appetite stimulant from the beginning of our adventure with all of this. Would it be good to try that? Should I try other avenues like syringing, adding chicken broth to his food, etc.? I'm feeling a little at my wit's end, and I'm not sleeping at night trying to get him to eat enough. I also worry that the more I try to force him, the more he won't want to eat. Any and all advice on this would be appreciated.
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
Ruling out a health issue..... is it possible he has nausea? Does he sniff and walk away? Lick lips?
App stims are great but you want to be sure there is no nausea first. Zofran/ondansetron is mostly used for nausea and works great. I will tag some other members. @Bron and Sheba (GA) @tiffmaxee
Click to expand...

I'm not sure! He does take some bites, but just a few. He doesn't seem to have any other symptoms - I don't see him excessively licking his lips like when I saw that he had nausea before. He'll take a bite or two, and then move his head away and go back to snoozing/grooming himself.

Edit to add: He just came into the room and asked for some food, but he still only ate a few pieces. I'm not sure if this is nausea related or not. What can nausea be tied to, since everything else about him seems normal?
 
Last edited:
Danoodle009 said:
I'm not sure! He does take some bites, but just a few. He doesn't seem to have any other symptoms - I don't see him excessively licking his lips like when I saw that he had nausea before. He'll take a bite or two, and then move his head away and go back to snoozing/grooming himself.

Edit to add: He just came into the room and asked for some food, but he still only ate a few pieces. I'm not sure if this is nausea related or not. What can nausea be tied to, since everything else about him seems normal?
Click to expand...
Has he had any bloodwork done recently? Nausea can be caused by many things many diabetics have kidney issues-phosphorous too high--pancreatitis-liver issues-a mass etc...

Assuming he does not have nausea I personally would try to assist fee him and see if he fights you, that may help solve your little furry puzzle!
How much is he eating a day now? I wonder if he would like the food topper applaws? It has lots of juice.
 
Some of those BGs are getting on the high side.
I’m wondering if a snack at about +9 at night would help bring down the AMBG.
I’d be inclined to get him checked at the vet…teeth etc. to see there is nothing there stopping him eating. We ecently had a cat who was not eating well and they had a mouth ulcer.
I’d also ask for some Ondansetron in case he is nauseated.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Some of those BGs are getting on the high side.
I’m wondering if a snack at about +9 at night would help bring down the AMBG.
I’d be inclined to get him checked at the vet…teeth etc. to see there is nothing there stopping him eating. We ecently had a cat who was not eating well and they had a mouth ulcer.
I’d also ask for some Ondansetron in case he is nauseated.
Click to expand...

I have not updated his BG SS in a minute, and I absolutely should! When I check it once daily (& a few times a week, twice), his BG is anywhere between 65-80. His numbers haven't been above 100 in two weeks now. I called the vet to let them know what was going on, and they are going to have me bring him in tomorrow to check him out to make sure nothing is going on in his mouth. So far, out of his scare with jaundice and elevated BG, this has been the most frustrating thing. It makes me wonder if he has always had an issue with his mouth and that's how we got into this mess to begin with.

Up until today, he had been eating the appropriate number of calories (with some frustration on my part), but today is the first day he's shown no interest in eating, which is why I panicked and posted on here for advice. I called the vet, and I am glad, with his previous health issues, they are happy to get him in sooner rather than later. Towards the beginning of this almost two months ago now, he was eating really well - but he was on an appetite stimulant and an anti-nausea. Hopefully we can get this solved!
 
If I remember correctly diabetes and neuropathy can produce bowel mobility issues. My kitty is going through it now. I use 1/4 tsp miralax 2x a day and he poops every other day now. He went 5 days without pooping when I got him! (He's a medical foster)
 
Katsallday said:
If I remember correctly diabetes and neuropathy can produce bowel mobility issues. My kitty is going through it now. I use 1/4 tsp miralax 2x a day and he poops every other day now. He went 5 days without pooping when I got him! (He's a medical foster)
Click to expand...
cisapride is helpful bowel mobility as well... natural moves from native remedies works well too.
 
Katsallday said:
If I remember correctly diabetes and neuropathy can produce bowel mobility issues. My kitty is going through it now. I use 1/4 tsp miralax 2x a day and he poops every other day now. He went 5 days without pooping when I got him! (He's a medical foster)
Click to expand...

This may definitely be the case; he poops every other day, but I have wondered if he has bowl issues.

I do have one general question; I am really struggling to get him to eat anything tonight. I babysat tonight, so I wasn't home for a while, and I had hoped he would eat more when I got back. He ate maybe a few bites, but it's honestly hard to tell, as he spits out a lot of it. I added some extra chicken broth to his food, and he mostly just licked at the liquid. Should I leave him be? Should I try to get him to eat anything? I'm afraid to leave him for so long without eating much at all.
 
I've gotten him to eat some this evening. Definitely not enough, but enough that I am somewhat comfortable for now. I got a syringe just in case he continues to be picky tomorrow, and I have an appetite stimulant. Hopefully the vet will be able to figure out the issue tomorrow. I also boiled up some chicken/kept the broth so that I can work on feeding him that tomorrow. He is at least continuing to drink as normal, so I am not so concerned about him dehydrating.
 
Did the vet check his teeth? If a cat is experiencing any dental discomfort, the kitty may have difficulty eating with any degree of comfort.
 
I haven't been able to get him into the vet as yet this morning; it's a place that is a little weird with appointments, and they will call me once they have a time when I can bring him in. Thankfully, they are open until 6 every day, so they assured me I would be able to bring him in today. I was able to syringe him about half a can of wet food this morning. For his calories with this stuff, he only needs a can and a half a day at minimum. He's kept it down so far, so I am thankful to see that. I will let him relax and try again in an hour or so.

I'm wondering if he has issues with his teeth too. He was sneezing this morning as he was trying to take bites, and he has an issue with me touching his back left teeth. The rest of his mouth he is okay with. I'm wondering if there's something bothering him back there. Either way, I am anxious to see what the vet says and also thankful he has been okay with me syringe feeding him so far.

My other main concern is that he hasn't passed a bowel movement in two days. The last one he had was normal, albeit large for him. I know someone mentioned Miralax. If that is necessary, I will definitely try that.

Edit to add: We are scheduled to go in a couple of hours!
 
Last edited:
Danoodle009 said:
I haven't been able to get him into the vet as yet this morning; it's a place that is a little weird with appointments, and they will call me once they have a time when I can bring him in. Thankfully, they are open until 6 every day, so they assured me I would be able to bring him in today. I was able to syringe him about half a can of wet food this morning. For his calories with this stuff, he only needs a can and a half a day at minimum. He's kept it down so far, so I am thankful to see that. I will let him relax and try again in an hour or so.

I'm wondering if he has issues with his teeth too. He was sneezing this morning as he was trying to take bites, and he has an issue with me touching his back left teeth. The rest of his mouth he is okay with. I'm wondering if there's something bothering him back there. Either way, I am anxious to see what the vet says and also thankful he has been okay with me syringe feeding him so far.

My other main concern is that he hasn't passed a bowel movement in two days. The last one he had was normal, albeit large for him. I know someone mentioned Miralax. If that is necessary, I will definitely try that.
Click to expand...
Highly recommend the miralax. He may not be eating enough to push the poop down but he's gotta get it out. Constipation can also cause nausea in humans I'd expect it to do the same for cats
 
Katsallday said:
Highly recommend the miralax. He may not be eating enough to push the poop down but he's gotta get it out. Constipation can also cause nausea in humans I'd expect it to do the same for cats
Click to expand...

Do I need to get a certain kind from the vet, or should I just get some from the store?

Edit to add: I felt his belly this morning (I feel his belly/back/spine every morning for anything abnormal since he was so thin at the beginning of all of this) and it definitely felt bloated.
 
Last edited:
Danoodle009 said:
Do I need to get a certain kind from the vet, or should I just get some from the store?

Edit to add: I felt his belly this morning (I feel his belly/back/spine every morning for anything abnormal since he was so thin at the beginning of all of this) and it definitely felt bloated.
Click to expand...

Nope, you can get miralax at any Walmart or pharmacy. Peg 3350 I believe, flavorless powder form :) make sure kitty is getting water though! Water is what makes it work
 
I have returned from the vet; she examined his abdomen and did not find that he was particularly constipated, though she said to try to observe him and make sure he goes soon. She mentioned that with lower carb foods, sometimes they tend to go a little less, especially if he didn't eat yesterday. In the meantime, she gave him the same anti-nausea medication that she gave him last time. She mentioned that these flareups are common with pancreatitis, and he would likely need periodic injections to make sure he eats. I'll be giving him fluids once a day until he starts eating on his own again.

She also examined his teeth and, although he has some plaque buildup, she didn't see any cause for concern, like signs of infection/pain/redness/swelling/etc.

My favorite part of the visit is that she said he looks like a whole different cat than he did at the end of December when she saw him last. I let her know that he's been doing great other than the past day or so, and she was very pleased at his progress.

She did give me Hill's Prescription Diet Urgent Care food; I see there is corn flour in the ingredients. Should I skip this and continue feeding him his LC wet food that I have, or would it be best to get him to eat anything right now?
 
Danoodle009 said:
I have returned from the vet; she examined his abdomen and did not find that he was particularly constipated, though she said to try to observe him and make sure he goes soon. She mentioned that with lower carb foods, sometimes they tend to go a little less, especially if he didn't eat yesterday. In the meantime, she gave him the same anti-nausea medication that she gave him last time. She mentioned that these flareups are common with pancreatitis, and he would likely need periodic injections to make sure he eats. I'll be giving him fluids once a day until he starts eating on his own again.

She also examined his teeth and, although he has some plaque buildup, she didn't see any cause for concern, like signs of infection/pain/redness/swelling/etc.

My favorite part of the visit is that she said he looks like a whole different cat than he did at the end of December when she saw him last. I let her know that he's been doing great other than the past day or so, and she was very pleased at his progress.

She did give me Hill's Prescription Diet Urgent Care food; I see there is corn flour in the ingredients. Should I skip this and continue feeding him his LC wet food that I have, or would it be best to get him to eat anything right now?
Click to expand...
I think eating anything is better than nothing? That's what I was advised when my cat wasn't eating
 
Danielle, with everything Pinky's throwing at you it must be very disconcerting, especially the food in and food out. I do hope he comes around and find the source of the troubles. It sounds like you have tried everything to get him to eat. :bighug::bighug:
FWIW, you have likely tried this already, if not, it may help. Just wondering if he has treats given when you test/inject that he consistently takes to? If so, have you tried to crush up some treats and sprinkle them over the offered food? (Or dice up if wet), maybe trick his little nose to eat a bit? :cat:
I know I am not the only one here who now has a kitty that won't eat certain foods unless it has a proper garnish of sprinkles on it :eek:
 
Last edited:
Melinda and Kitkat said:
Danielle, with everything Pinky's throwing at you it must be very disconcerting, especially the food in and food out. I do hope he comes around and find the source of the troubles. It sounds like you have tried everything to get him to eat. :bighug::bighug:
FWIW, you have likely tried this already, if not, it may help. Just wondering if he has treats given when you test/inject that he consistently takes to? If so, have you tried to crush up some treats and sprinkle them over the offered food? (Or dice up if wet), maybe trick his little nose to eat a bit? :cat:
I know I am not the only one here who now has a kitty that won't eat certain foods unless it has a proper garnish of sprinkles on it :eek:
Click to expand...

He loves the chicken PureBites. Would eat them for all of his meals, if he could. I have tried crushing up these and putting them in his food; he will eat excitedly for a few bites, lose interest, and then by the time he comes back, they are too soggy for him. I know a lot of it is pickiness, as he hadn't shown any concerning symptoms until yesterday; with everyone's help, I was able to recognize his problems yesterday and today as nausea and get him into the vet to get this taken care of. Prior to that, he would eat just fine, albeit a little slowly, and I could tell he never loved it. He's still not to the point of eating without the syringe yet (although after a few bites from the syringe, he will happily start eating from my hand). He is showing much more interest in food, though, and is actively asking for it now. He's almost eaten his full amount of calories for the day; he just has a little under an ounce left to eat. The vet said that if he doesn't consume enough to give him fluids, but he is eating and drinking, so I want to wait on that. His gums are very warm and moist, and he's showing no signs of dehydration. With his murmur, I don't want his little heart to work harder than it has to with all the extra fluid.

The vet reminded me that this could be just him getting old and giving up, but I don't sense that in him (and I don't want to think of that, yet). He's still drinking, grooming himself, jumping places, and using the litter box. I just don't feel like he's ready to go; I just feel like he needs a little bit of help with eating. I've been very relieved to also see that, throughout all of this, his BG levels have stayed in the normal range and haven't spiked at all. I am hoping that means that, while he may be nauseated, he isn't in any pain.

I'm going to try the Fancy Feast that a lot of people use once he is more interested in eating. Clearly, the Weruva wasn't his favorite thing in the world. I thought the YA dry food would be of some assistance in terms of him liking the food, but I almost worry that this is what triggered all of this, as he was doing great before. I know there are some flakes that some people have mentioned they put on their cat's food that is very stinky; I will have to do some research and find out what that is, as I am willing to try anything at this point!

Thank you again, everyone. This has been a frustrating, anxious, scary time. I have appreciated everyone's support through this.
 
For those stinky treats, Ive heard people talk about them alot.lol.;) I bet if you posted it as a new thread someone could tell you right away, might get a quick response.:) (Sorry, I just can't remember what they were now, fish I think). I will have a look through some threads for you as well. :bighug:
 
If he has a pancreatic flare, that would explain him not wanting to eat.
I am assuming the antinausea medication was an injection…did the vet also give you some tablets to bring home as well. If not you may be need to ask for some. Ondansetron is a good antinausea med and can be giving three times a day.
Did the vet give him anything for pain.? Pancreatitis is painful.
The Hills urgent care food may be a little higher in carbs …if it is a/d it is 13% carbs and it fine to give him to eat at the moment..
if he has a heart murmur I would be cautious giving him sub Q fluids. How much did the vet say you could give him?
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
If he has a pancreatic flare, that would explain him not wanting to eat.
I am assuming the antinausea medication was an injection…did the vet also give you some tablets to bring home as well. If not you may be need to ask for some. Ondansetron is a good antinausea med and can be giving three times a day.
Did the vet give him anything for pain.? Pancreatitis is painful.
The Hills urgent care food may be a little higher in carbs …if it is a/d it is 13% carbs and it fine to give him to eat at the moment..
if he has a heart murmur I would be cautious giving him sub Q fluids. How much did the vet say you could give him?
Click to expand...

Yes, this was an injection! She didn't give me anything to take home. This is the same injection she gave him last time, and seemed to work just fine, as nothing was out of the ordinary for almost 2 months. She told me if I needed to bring him back in soon, I could do that. As yet today, he has eaten half a can on his own without me using a syringe at all, so I'm thankful for that. It is the 13% carb food, but I am just glad for him to be eating something for right now. Once he gets to a better place, I do plan to try fancy feast.

She was not able to confirm for me that this is what he has; she has taken some guesses. My primary vet (who couldn't see him for a week, so I took him back to the local Humane Society where I brought him in the beginning) doesn't have the ability to diagnose him fully, and neither could she. There's only one other vet in town who I know can, and he quoted me $5000+ dollars. This is the same vet who tried to tell me getting my dog's teeth cleaned would cost $9000+, and that she needed knee replacement surgery, and each knee would cost around $8k. I don't take my animals to him anymore. I plan to call around outside of town and see who will be able to diagnose him fully for both this and his heart murmur, and so we can get him on a solid treatment plan, as I am sure this will continue to happen. She did say that, while cats tend to hide pain very well, nothing about him indicates that he is in any pain. I think that's why she didn't give me anything specifically for pancreatitis, as she doesn't know if that is actually what is bothering him.

I raised that very concern with the vet, and she shared in my concern with subq fluids. She advised me to only give 100 mls a day, and that would be okay for his size (he's a big boy, part Maine coon and obese, so he's 17 pounds). However, I am doing what I did last time, which was if he is getting enough food (especially wet food) and he is not showing any signs of dehydration, then I refrained from giving him any. The only time I was fine to give him the fluids was when he was jaundiced; I think anything to get him back on track at that point was worth it.
 
Testing for pancreatitis is easy. You/the vet has two options. There is a Spec fPL and and a Snap fPL. Both are blood tests. The Spec version is sent out to an IDEXX lab. The Snap version is an in-office test that's very similar to a pregnancy test -- you have a "stick" with a "-" or "+" reading.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Testing for pancreatitis is easy. You/the vet has two options. There is a Spec fPL and and a Snap fPL. Both are blood tests. The Spec version is sent out to an IDEXX lab. The Snap version is an in-office test that's very similar to a pregnancy test -- you have a "stick" with a "-" or "+" reading.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this information! I really only know what the vets tell me, so I appreciate being able to go in and have more knowledge on these things. I plan to call around tomorrow when vet's offices are open and get more information.

The one vet has always quoted outrageous prices. This is the same vet who won't take emergency cases (even though they say they have the capability to help) because it's an inconvenience. I originally took my pets here because it was so close to my house, but I definitely know better now.

Thank you again for the info!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top